Art of producing figures on the surface of wood or other material



(No Model.)

G. L. GOEHRING. ART OF PRODUCING FIGURES ON THE SURFACE OF WOOD OR OTHER MATERIAL.

No. 894,767. Patented Dec. 18, 1888.

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0. L. GOEHRING. ART OF PRODUCING FIGURES 0N THBSURFAGE 0P WOOD OR OTHER MATERIAL.

Patented Dec. 18, 1888.

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(No Model.) '5 Sheets-Sheet 3. C. L. GOEHRING. ART OF PRODUCING FIGURES ON THE SURFACE OF WOOD OR OTHER MATERIAL.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5. G. L. GOEHRING. ART OF PRODUGING FIGURES ON THE SURFACE OF WOOD OR OTHER MATERIAL.

No. 894,767. Patented Dec. 18, 1888.

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N PETERS P1020 Lnho hw Washing'umlLQ UNTTED STATES PATENT TTicE.

CHARLES L. GOEHRING, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

ART OF PRODUCING FIGURES ON THE SURFACE OF WOOD OR OTHER MATERIAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,767, dated December 18, 1888.

Application filed August 18, 1888.

the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this speciiicatiomand to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention has for its object the production in an economical, rapid, and perfect manner of ornamental figures, designs, or moldings in or upon the surface of wood or other material by the removal or cutting away of a portion of the surface, and it relates principally to a new and improved mode of manipulating or actuating a rotary cutter or abrading-tool relatively to the surface operated upon in a manner to cause said rotary cutter to follow a given predetermined design and at the same time present the bits or cutting-edges squarely to the line of cut at the point of contact.

To this end my invention consists in oscillating the cutter-head about an axis or center transverse to the axis of the cutter-head and intersecting said axis, the cutters thereon, and the material operated upon,and simultaneously causing said center or axis of oscillation to shift or traverse the surface of the moving material in a line transverse to the motion of said material, whereby the center of oscillation. is caused to traverse a line on the surface of the material representing the mean or resultant of two motions, the one longitudinal of the surface and the other transverse thereto, while the cutter-head is oscillated about said center in a direction corresponding to the motion across the material and in degree proportional to the longitudinal and lateral motions to cause the rotating cutters to be presented to the material with their planes of rotation substantially parallel with or intersecting the actual line of movement at the point of contact with the surface of the material.

The invention also consists in the method of varying and changing the profile or surface of the design by causing the cutter-head while Serial No. 282,590. (No model.)

traversing across and oscillating above the surface to move toward and from the latter.

The invention further consists in certain modifications, adaptation s, or applications of the methods described, whereby varied designs and figures maybe produced, all as hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, designed merely to illustrate the manner of working.

my invention and a means for carrying the same into practice, Figure 1 is a top plan view, and Fig. 2 a side elevation, of a cutter-head and support as adapt-ed for use in executing my present improvements. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the various positions given the cutter-head while forming a simple design. Figs. 4 to 12 illustrate in plan and section a few of the innumerable designs that may be produced by the aid of the present invention. Fig. 4 represents a series of planks united by tongue and groove and having a bead oroverlapping molding formed along one side and following the irregular curve of the edge. in plan and section a plank whose edges are dressed by side cutters moved in unison and two or more top cutters operating on intersecting lines. Figs. 6'to 12 illustrate designs produced by two cutters or the same cutter successively applied and operated 011 lines intersecting at different points. Fig. 7 a represents one of the bits employed in making design Fig. 7. Fig. 8 represents one of the bits employed in forming the design shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 9 illustrates the form of the bits employed in producing the design shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.

For convenience of description and to more clearly illustrate the invention the various manipulations performed or required in producin g a given design will be set forth herein as produced by the aid of mechanism such as shown, it being understood that any suitable arrangement of mechanical devices which will permit of the various movements being performed may be employed for the purpose, and in referring to the motions of the material and cutter-head with respect to each other their relative motions only are to be under- Figs. 5 and 5" represent Ian stood, whether produced by the reciprocations of either the cutter head or the material, or both.

The longitudinal motion, so called, is one lengthwise of the material to be operated upon, and 'n'eferaljdy produced by feeding the materialsuch as a plankin a straight line and at a pret'letermined speed over a tahie or other support, A.

Above the work-support and the material the cutter-head 1 is held with its arbor Z) standing at an angle to but in a plane sub stantially parallel with the plane of movement of the material. To the head B are affixed the cutters I) or abrading-tools, in the usual or any approved manner, said cutters or bits being of suitable form to produce the desired bead, molding, or groove in or upon the face of the material. The cutters or bits, being 'iixed to the rotating head,revolve about the axis of the arbor in planes at right angles thereto; hence, in order to produce a molding, bead, or groove corresponding to the shape of their cutting-edge, it is necessary that the planes of rotation should at all times and as nearly as possible coincide with the actual line of movement of the material at the point of contact therewith, said line of movement. being that derived from the movements given the cutter and material and representing the mean between said two movements on transverse lines. To govern, control, and maintain this parallelism of the planes of rotation to the actual line of motion at the point of contact with the surface of the material, and to regulate and determine said actual line of motion, and thereby establish and control the tigure or design to be produced, is one of the principal objects sought to be accomplished .by my present invention. \Vit-h this end in view I establish on a line intersecting the principal cutter and passing through the a'r-.

bor and the material and bed or support a center or axis, imaginary or otherwise, about which the oscillations of the cutter-head are to be performed, the plane of movement or oscillation being substantially parallel with the axis of the arbor and the general surface of the material. This axis of oscillation is represented in the drawings as a pin or pivot, 1, arranged in a line, as described, and serv ing to connect the arborframe C to a support, D, whereby the relations subsisting between the cuttier and the center of oscillation are fixed and maintained.

The oscillatory motions to which reference has been made are not fixed and constant, but depend solely upon and are governed or regulated. by the design, and the latter by the relative speed and direction at which the ma terial and cutter-head are caused to traverse on intersecting planes.

The design other than such portions as are derived from the special, configu ration or shape of the cutter or bits follows the line of motion at the point of contact of the cutters with the surface of the material, and thisline of motion is determined by changing or shifting the center of oscillation, and with it the cutter-head, on a line or lines intersecting or crossing the surface at an angle. This operation is mostconveniently performed in the following manner, which illustratesonemode of accomplishing the result stated: The plank or other material to be operated upon is moved or fed forward continuously and uniformly in a rightline, and the cutter-head is so disposed relatively thereto that the plane of oscillation will be substantially parallel. with the plane of movement of the material, the axis of oscillation standing transverse thereto. This axis or center of oscillation, it will be remembered, is a lin e intersecting the arbor an d cutter-head at a fixed point and perpendieular to the plane of movement of the material. Now, the figure or design is developed and determined by shifting this center line or axis transversely across the plane of movement of the material, whereby it will be caused to traverse a line which is the rcsultantoi the two motions, the one longitudinal and the other transverse of the material, and the form of this line as developed upon the surface will depend entirely upon and is controlled or determined by the relative speed and direction of the two moven'ients. For example, assuming the material. to be fed forward continuously at a uniform speed-say thirty feet a minutc if the cutter-head is held stationary the axis of oscillation will traverse a strz'tight line, and if moved from one side of the plank to the opposite side once a minute it will traverse in a (liagonal line representing the hypotenuse of a triai'igle whose perpendieular is thirty feet, while the base corresponds exact the distance traversed-by the center or axis of oscillation, be it longer or shorter. This will be the effect of moving the center ata uniform rate of speed; but if the speed and direction of motion are changed a corresponding variation will be effected in the form of the line. Thus if the speed is uniformly acceleratml or retarded the line will be curved.

Now, it is obvious that by the proper adjustment of the two motions relatively to each other and by changing the direction of the motion givmi the axis of oscillation from time to time an iniinite variety of lines or figures can be traced upon the surface of the material and extending lengthwise thereof. The direction,angle, or curvature of the lines produced by the angular movements of the center and material are restricted, however, in direction-that is to say, thelines so prod need always partake of a direction intermet'liato the two mot-ions; hence, in order to produce a line exactly in the plane of motion of either the center or the material acted. upon, the motion. of one or the other of these elements should be suspendedthat is to say, if it is desired to produce as a part of the design a straight line mrallel with the ltalgth of the material, the center of oscillation is main tained in a fixed relation to said line and the 'ith some? material is moved forward the required distance; and, again, if it is desired to form a line in the plane of movement of the center the feed is suspended while said center is traversing across the material on a given line. In this way anyrequired line can be followed or traced on the face of the material. It is not, however, sufficient that provision should thus be made for tracing the design and for oscillating the cutter-head, as other and equally important manipulations have to be performed in order that the cutters may be caused to act properly, and these operations relate to the adjustment and determination of the motions to be given to the cutter-head about the center or axis of oscillation. As hereinbefore stated, the axis or center of oscillation to which reference has been had is an imaginary or other line drawn through the cutter-head in a line transverse to its axis of rotation and intersecting the edge of the principal cutter and the surface of the material operated upon, said center being represented in the drawin s by the pin or pivot 1. Now, it is evident that the line or figure derived from the relative movements of the material and center represent the mean of the two motions as developed upon the surface of the material; hence it follows that the actual direction or motion of the axis of oscillation at the point of intersection with the surface of the material is dependent upon and proportional to the motions given to the material and axisthat is to say, the general direction and angular relation of the line at any given point depends solely upon and can be accurately calculated from the direction and speed at which the material is advanced and the axis is moved or reciprocated to produce that portion of the line; 1

As before stated, it is necessary to produce the best results that the cutters, or, more properly, the principal. cutter that which gives character to the general designshould be held at all times with its plane of rotation on or in line and facing the direction of actual movement of the axis of oscillation on the surface of the material, and to effect this thecutter-head is oscillated about said center or axis in a direction and degree corresponding to the direction of motion of the said axis across the material and the relative speed with which the material and axis are moved.

To show the practical application and operation of the invention, and as a further illustration of the conditions and workings thereof, let us assume that the figure to be formed upon the surface of a plank by cut ting away said surface, so as to leave a raised molding or head thereon, to be of the form or design illustrated at 39, Fig. 3. The plank P, on which said design is to be formed, is moved or fed in thedircction indicatedbyt-he arrow in a straight line and at a uniform speed.

The cutter-head B, overlying the material, P, is supported on a rotating arbor, I), mounted in an arbor-frame, 0, Figs. 1 and 2, which is pivoted to its support I) by a pin, 1, coincidrangement of devices which will secure this action may be employed for the purpose.

In order the better to control and regulate the line of motion of the center of oscillation across the face of the material, the base or support I), carryin the arbor-frame, is mounted to slide back and forth in guides (l, whereby the movement of the center across and with reference to the material is always maintained in a fixed line.

The next operationis to ascertain therequisite relative motions of the two moving bod- 'iesthe material and the centerto produce the given figure. This maybe done by a mathematical calculation or computation and the application of suitable mechanical devices to automatically effect the relative movements necessary to the production of the figure, (such a mechanism being fully described and illustrated in my applications, Serial Nos. 200,097, 200,098, 267,530, and 202,902,) or the figure can be traced on the surface by a pencil. or other marker fixed to the slide 1), the latter being moved back and forth as the plank is fed forward; or the design can be traced on the surface of the material or on a pattern-plate to serve as a guide. Let us suppose, for example, that the line to be traversed-that is to say, the design to be formed-is such as is represented by the dotted line y, Fig. 3. The plank is set in motion, and as it passes beneath the cutter the slide D is reciprocated by hand or otherwise back and forth across the surface, with the axis 1 always intersecting the line y. Simultaneously with the motions thus given to the slide the cutter-head is oscillated about the center 1 by hand or by mechanism, the direction and speed of the oscillatory movement depending upon the direction in which the support 1) is moving and the relative speed of the material. and said support, so that the plane of rotation of cutters (I; will always intersect the line y in the plane of movement at the point immediately below the cutter. Thus, as the slide is reciprocated across the surface in the direction of the arrow t and the axis 1 is held upon and caused to follow the line y, the cutter-head is oscillated in the direction of the arrow t and held with the arbor standing substantially at right angles to the line at the point of contact. Thus, as the plank advances and the slide is reciprocated to cause the axis 1 to traverse the line y, the cutter-head is oscillated in the various 4 some"? positions indicated 011 the diagram, Fig. 3, 1 representing the center or axis of oscillation, @l the axis of rotation, and 5 the plane of retation of the cutter 00.

By causing the axis or center of oscillation to follow accurately the line of the pattern, which latter is developed as the resultant of the motions communicated to the axis and the material, and simultaneously vibrating or oscillating the cutter about said axis in direction and degree corresponding to the relative motions of the material and axis 1, the cutter a; will always be squarely presented to the line of motion, so that the cutting-edge willfaithfully perform its office in the production of a bead, groove, or molding having the general contour or figure of the cutting-edge.

It of course understood that the cutterhead is to be provided with bits or cuttingedges on each side of the principal cutter 00 for dressing down the surface of the plank on opposite sides of the bead 0;.

Thus far the invention has been described and illustrated in its simplest form and application, one principally design ed and adapted to the formation of an overlapping bead along the irregular or curved edge of a plank such as exhibited in Figs. 4 and 5, and by its use I am enabled to form and produce what has hitherto been unknown to the tradethat is, planks each having correspondinglycurved or irregular-shaped edges adapted to fit together and form a close joint, the adja cent edges being provided with a tongue and groove, while one of said edges is furnished with a bead overlapping the edge and cover ing the joint, said bead following exactly the outline of the edge of the plank and made integral therewith. This part of the invention is also availed of in the formation of the principal lines 1 of designs, such as represented in Figs. 6 and 7. A further application of this feature of the invention is in the formation of designs or figures wherein the curved or irregular figures or lines traced by feeding the work and simultaneously oscillating and reciprocating the cutter on a center line or axis intersecting the cutter and material are varied or modified, so to change the surface or longitudinal contour of the design or surface. This I eitect by imparting to the cutter-head a vertical reciprocatory motion in a direction transverse to b at intersecting the line of movement, so that as the cutter is oscillated and reciprocated it will be moved toward and from, the plane of movement of the material, thereby causing the bits to make a deeper or shallower cut. To illustrate this action, let us suppose the reciprocating support D to be mounted upon a vertically-1novable carriage and the latter reciprocated to follow the line on the surface desired. It is evident that when the lateral and vertical motions are imparted to the cutter in the manner described the absolute motion of the axis of oscillation will be on a line representing the mean of said motions; but inasmuch as the plane of rotation of the cutters bears the same relation to the line y whether elevated or depressed they will follow said line and form the bead or groove centrally thereof the same as before.

In addition to and as supplementing what is termed the principal figure of the design. represented by the line 1 other figures or lines may be formed on either or both sides and substantially parallel therewith by the employment of properly-shaped cutting-bits in place of the plain or straight faced bits; but the lines thus formed will not truly represent through their entire length the form in section of all portions of the cutter which produces them, the departure or modification in form increasing in proportion as the particular groove or projection on the bit is more remote from the center or axis of oscillation.

The production of more intricate and elaborate designs and figures-such, for example, as those illustrated in Figs. 5 to 12is accomplished by first producing one-halt or other portion of the design and subsequently completing the figure by forming a cut along the opposite side, the motions given to the ma terial and cutter in producing the two sections being accurately adjusted and regulated and the bits so shaped that the lines ot' the pattern or design as produced at one operation will intersect at regular or predetermined intervals those previously produced, whereby a unitary design or pattern is formed. To accomplish this result, the cutters or bits are shaped to produce a portionsay one-halt'- of the series of grooves and beads forming part of the molding, and the cutter-head is caused to oscillate and reciprocate across the face of the material while the latter is ad vaneing to form the desired wave or irregular lines or pattern on the surface. For a design such as shown in Fig. '7 the bits may be of the form shown in Fig. 7 and the cutter-head so actuated as to produce the partial design represented at d. The opposite side and the complete design or figure are produced by sub jecting the plank to the action of the same or another cutter head whose bits, if the figure is to have similar sides or borders, as represented, are the same or substantially similar to those on the cutter-head'first used, and the transverse and oscillating motions of this second cutter-head are timed to those of the first cutter-head, so as to cause the lines of motion or cuts of some or all of the bits to intersect or cross the lines previously formed by the first cutters, as indicated at n in Fig. 7, whereby a composite figure is formed. In this way an infinite variety of designs can be produced by changing the form of the cutting-edges of the bits and by varying the motions given the cutter-heads; but in producing a series of symmetrical figures such as shown it is of the utmost importance that the motions given to the two cutter-heads should be performed in the same time, but in reversed order, and that the reciprocating motions should be equal; hence in practice I prefer to employ two or more out ter-heads arranged in succession and operating simultaneously upon the same strip or plank, thereby insuring greater accuracy in spacing, one of the two motions employed. for determining the designs or patterns formed by the separate cutterheads2'. 6., the longitudinal motion of the materialis the same at corresponding points; and to still further insure the requisite registry of motion transverse to the surface of the material I prefer ably connect the actuating devices for controlling the reciprocating and oscillatory motions of the cuttcr-heads by a system of gearing or equivalent positivcly-acting devices, as fully disclosed in my application, Serial No. 260,097.

The designs represented in Figs. 6 and 7 were produced by cutters or bits having the same shape, the differences in the figures being produced by varying the relative movements of the cutter-heads operating on the material while the latter was moved at a uniform speed. In forming these composite designs, or such as require a widemolding-cutter, it is desirable that the center of oscillation should be caused to traverse a line nearly central of the design or figure as produced by that cutter. Thus, in forming the design Fig. 8 the center of oscillation is located and traverses parallel with the central bead, The designs represented in Figs. 9 to 12 were all produced by the same cutters, different motions being given the cutter-head in each instance. This is more clearly exhibited in Figs. 9 and 10, wherein both the preliminary and final lines of cut are illustrated. It will thus be seen that my invention is such as will enable a single set or series of knives of the same pattern to be employed for the production of different designs and patterns, and when it is considered that each change or variation in the form of the cutter produces a corresponding change in the design. or pattern it must be obvious that by altering the cutters and modifying or changing the relative motions given the cutter-heads and material operated upon an infinite variety of forms, patterns, or designs can be produced.

In the foregoing description and explanation of my improvement I have, for convenience of illustration, referred to certain mechanical contrivances which will be found convenient in practicing the method, as they contribute in preserving and insuring accuracy of motion; but it is evident the operation can be performed by divers forms and constructions of mechanism, or by the intelligent manipulation of the rotary cutter-head in accordance with and following the principles disclosed herein.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is-- 1. The hereinbeforc-described improvement in the art of producing ornamental or other figures, designs, or moldings in or upon the surface of wood or other materials,whioh consists in developing and forming the desired pattern or design by causing the material to traverse in a predetermined line and simultaneously therewith reciprocating or moving a rotating cutterhead on a line transverse to the direction in which the material is fed,- and at the same time oscillating said cutter about an axis intersecting the principal cutter and the material and partaking of the reciprocatory movement of the cutter-head across the face of the material, whereby as the pattern is developed the cutter is held with its plane of rotation substantially parallel with the line of cut at thepoint of contact with the surface, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. i

2. As an improvement in the art of forming ornamental figures, &c., on the face of wood or other materials, the method substantially hereinbefore described of developing the design upon the surface operated upon, which consists in moving the material and a rotating cutter-head in parallel horizontal planes, but on intersecting vertical planes and at predetermined speeds, and simultaneously therewith oscillating the cutter-head about a line or axis transverse to but intersecting the axis of rotation at a fixed point, said oscillating movements corresponding in direction to the lateral motion of the cutter-head and in degree proportioned to the relative motions of the material and the cutter-head,

substantially as described.

7 3. The hereinbefore described improvement in the art of forming ornamental and other designs in or upon a surface of wood or other material, which consists in feeding the material in a right line and at a predetermined rate of speed, supporting a rotating cutter-head above said moving material with its axis of rotation transverse thereto, oscillating said cutter-head about an axis or center lying transverse to the axis of rotation and intersect-ing the latter and the cutterhead in the plane of rotation of the principal cutter, and simultaneously therewith causing the axis of oscillation to move or reciprocate in a line transverse to the motion and parallel to the surface of the material operated upon, substantially as set forth.

4. The improvement in the art of forming ornamental and other figures in or upon a surface of wood by the removal of a portion of the surface in predetermined lines, which consist-s in feeding the material at a predetermined rate of speed and causing a rotary cutter-head carrying suitably-shaped bits to traverse the surface of the material with its axis of rotation substantially parallel with and moving in a direction transverse to the line of movement of the material, said motion of the cutter-head being produced and governed by the relative rate and direction of two motions given the supports of the cut-terhead, the one perpendicular and the other transverse to the plane of movement of the material, and simultaneously oscillating the cutter-head about an axis or center lying transverse to the plane in which the material is fed, so as to present the edge of the cutter squarely to the line of cut, substantially as described.

5. The hereinbefore-described improvement in the art of forming ornamental figures in or upon the surface of wood or other material by the removal of a portion tlnn'eof, which consists in first forming a series of lines or cuts extending longitudinally of the material by feeding the latter 'lorward and applying to the moving surface thereof suitably-shaped cutters or bits mounted upon a rotating arbor, which latter is given an oscillating reciprocating motion in a plane transverse to the surface of the material, the axis of oscillation intersecting the material and arbor, and subsequently forming a second series of cuts in a similar manner on lines intersecting the first-named cuts at predetermined intervals, substantially as described.

6. The hereinbefore-deseribed improved method of producing ornamental and other designs or figures in or upon a surface of wood or other material by means of shapingcutters applied to a rotating head, which consists in first forming a series of lines or cuts extcaiding longitudinally of the surface by reciprocating acutter across the surface on a line transverse to the hmgitmlinal motion of the material and oscillating said cutter about an axis transverse to the arbor and surface acted upon and subsequently forming another series of lines or cuts longitudinally of the surface and on lines intersecting or coinciding at predet'erminet'l intervals with the cuts or lines first formed by the am lication of an oscillatory recipromti11g cutter-he2ul traversii'ig the surface of the material in like manner, substantially as described.

7. The hereinbet'ore-deseribed method of forming ormtmental figures on the surface of wood or other materials, which consists in causing a rotating (miter-head carrying shaping-bits to traverse the surface on a line or lines resulting from and controlled by the relative motions given the material and cutter in transverse directions and simultaneously oscillating said cutter-head about an axis transverse to its axis of rotation and intersecting the material to produce one or more grooves or beads extending in curved or irreguh'tr lines ltmgitmlinally of the surface, and subsequently forming in. a similar manner a second line of groov as or beads similar to the first and intersecting the latter at pre determined inttwvals, the two sets or series of lines being so adjusted that at corresponding points in their length they will intiersect on a predetermined line or lines and at recurring intervals.

8. The method of forming a series of consecutive figures in or upon the surface of wood or other materials, which consists in ifeet'ling the material at a predeterm ined speed and while in motion forming by means of an oscillatory reciprocating cutter traversing the face of the material, the oscillations being about: an axis pea-pendieular to the axis of rotation and the face of the material, a series of grooves or beads in irregular or curved lines extending longitudinally of the surface and subsequently forming a complementary series of beads or grooves in proximity to the first by causing the cutters to traverse the moving surface of the material in a path which a proaches, intersects, and departs from the first series of beads or grooves at predetermined intervals, whereby a series of separate ligu res are formed longitudinally of the surface, substantially as set forth.

(HAS 'L. (ltllCIlI-HNG.

\Vitnesses:

.I. C. Borne, 111. L. GOEHRING. 

